First SEC/Big 12 Challenge set for fall

Women's Basketball

First SEC/Big 12 Challenge set for fall

The Southeastern Conferences and Big 12 announced the formation of a women’s basketball challenge which will span at least two years and begin in the fall of 2014.

Two teams from each league will participate in the initial two years to assist in the promotion of the 2015 SEC Women’s Basketball Championship to be played in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and the 2016 Big 12 Women’s Basketball Championship scheduled in Oklahoma City.

“The SEC is excited about the formation of the SEC/Big12 Challenge and partnering with the Big 12 to create a unique event for women’s basketball. The Challenge will be a premiere showcase event promoting several teams from two of the top women’s basketball conferences in the nation,” Leslie Claybrook, SEC assistant commissioner said. “This will be an exciting event for our institutions, student-athletes and fans.”

"The Challenge against the SEC will provide exciting match-ups in these next two seasons that enhances both leagues’ non-conference slate," Dru Hancock, Big 12 senior associate commissioner said. “In addition, it provides a unique opportunity to promote conference championships in the venues in which they will be played. We’re hopeful that this initial challenge will include more teams in the future.”

Texas will face Texas A&M while Oklahoma squares off against Arkansas on Dec. 21, 2014, at the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock in the first year of the event. The opponents will be reversed the following season with games played on December 20, 2015, in Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena.